1) GDP is the total market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time, usually a year. It can be calculated through the expenditure approach by adding consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports.
2) GDP growth reflects growth in productivity and living standards over the long run. However, GDP fluctuates in the short run due to business cycles, which include periods of expansion when GDP increases and recessions when GDP decreases.
3) While GDP is a key indicator of economic activity, it does not capture all factors that influence living standards such as household production, leisure time, or environmental quality. Alternative measures attempt to incorporate these limitations.